More ICD-10 coding Q&As

February 22, 2016
More answers to your ICD-10 coding questions.

Ask the Coding Experts, by Doug Morrow, O.D., Harvey Richman, O.D., and Rebecca Wartman, O.D.

AOA's Coding Experts share solutions to your ICD-10 coding conundrums.

I was told the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional guidance on the first year of ICD-10 implementation. Where can I access that guidance?
The updated guidance is available on the AOA's alerts and recalls page.

CMS indicated they were going to appoint an ICD-10 ombudsman. Who is it?
The ICD-10 ombudsman is William Rogers, M.D. Dr. Rogers is currently the director of the Physicians Regulatory Issues Team at CMS and a practicing physician at Georgetown University Hospital. The purpose of the CMS ombudsman is to help address concerns from health care professionals after ICD-10 implementation. You can submit inquiries to him via email.

How quickly must CMS process claims? What if CMS contractors experience problems with the ICD-10 transition?
Section 1842(c)(2) of the Social Security Act requires Medicare contractors to make payment on not less than 95% of "clean claims" within 30 calendar days. If there are Medicare system issues that interfere with claims processing, CMS and the Medicare Administrative Contractors will post information on how to access advance payments.

Submit a coding question
Send your questions to AOA's Coding Experts via the online coding question form.

Stay up to date with AOA's 2016 ICD-10 coding bundle, featuring the 2016 AOA Codes for Optometry book, 2016 Express Mapping Card and 2016 AMA CPT Professional Edition, available from AOA Marketplace.

Ask the coding experts

If you have any questions regarding Medical Records and Coding, please submit them by using the Coding Experts Submission Form and one of our coding experts will be in contact with you.

Related News

New noteworthy optometry codes

Changes in coding and reimbursements worth knowing. Meanwhile, with the clock winding down on 2023, the AOA continues to press for Congress to act on reforms that would give doctors of optometry an annual, permanent inflationary Medicare payment tied to the Medicare Economic Index.

Modifier -25: How to use it appropriately and avoid costly penalties

The federal government and private payers are heavily scrutinizing the use of modifier -25. When used appropriately, it can help to ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment and that doctors of optometry are reimbursed appropriately for their service. If you believe a claim that includes modifier -25 was inappropriately denied, follow appropriate criteria when appealing.

3 coding questions cracked

Does Medicare allow you to bill fundus photos and an optical coherence tomography on the same day for two different diagnoses? The answer to this question, and more, from the AOA’s experts.